CTV Two

Suspect charged in Vancouver high-rise flood

A resident of 928 Beatty St. had extensive flooding in her apartment after a vandal opened multiple standpipes, waterlogging units below. (Josephine Tang)

CTV British Columbia
Published Wednesday, January 23, 2013 4:48PM PST

A 24-year-old man has been charged in connection with a bizarre act of vandalism that flooded dozens floors in a downtown Vancouver high-rise earlier this week.

According to police, a suspect opened multiple standpipes in the hallways at 928 Beatty Street Monday, sending a torrent of water cascading down to the lobby and damaging several apartment units along the way.

Some residents’ carpets were soaked throughout their homes, while other units were unaffected – though the flooding also put the 37-storey building’s elevator out of commission.

There is no estimate yet of how much overall damage was caused.

On Wednesday, police announced that Salvador Villarreral-Gomez had been charged with one count of mischief over $5,000.

Vancouver Fire and Rescue Services said high rise standpipes are made easy to access in case of emergencies.

Capt. Gabe Roder said it would be a mistake to limit accessibility because of one unusual incident.